Schlieffen Plan

Definition

The Schlieffen Plan was Germany's strategic plan for victory in a possible future war where it would be surrounded by enemies on two fronts (France on west & Russia on east). It was named after its mastermind, German Field Marshal Alfred von Schlieffen.

Related terms

World War I: A global conflict that took place primarily in Europe from 1914 to 1918. The Schlieffen Plan was implemented at the start of this war.

Two-front War: A war where fighting takes place on two geographically separate fronts.

Alfred von Schlieffen: A German field marshal and strategist who served as Chief of the Imperial German General Staff from 1891 to 1906. He devised the Schlieffen Plan.